West Hills Shaded Fuel Break Maintenance
Summary
SCH Number
2018118029
Public Agency
City of Ukiah
Document Title
West Hills Shaded Fuel Break Maintenance
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
11/1/2018
Document Description
The proposed shaded fuel break maintenance project (in a High Fire Severity Zone) will improve the fire safety of the western residential neighborhoods of the City of Ukiah. The project crosses many small land and is located along the base of the hills North to South, where a shaded fuel break was first constructed in 2003. The project area is approximately 31 acres in size and approximately 2.6 miles in length. The fuel break is 100 feet wide. Work will consist of the reduction of surface and ladder fuels through hand crews cutting, piling and burning, or chipping brush. Existing tress will be pruned up approximately 10 feet as necessary. Dead trees that pose a safety or fire hazard may be removed.
Contact Information
Name
Craig Schlatter
Agency Name
City of Ukiah
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Location
Cities
Ukiah
Counties
Mendocino
Other Location Info
Location: Portions of private and public properties located in the West Hills of the City of Ukiah and more particularly described in "Attachment 1".
NOTE: See NOE for fulls details.
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
S15305, Class 4(a) Minor*
Reasons for Exemption
*Alterations to Land. S15304, Class 4(i) Minor Alterations to Land
The proposed project is exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15304, Class 4(a) and Class 4(i) Minor Alterations to Land. Most of the project activities would occur within previously disturbed areas-the fuel break will be constructed over the fuel break first constructed in 2003. The areas where new ground disturbing activities might occur are limited and are best described as minor in scope, limited to minor blading and re-blading on flat ground.
The proposed project would not have an adverse impact on environmental resources because not trees would be affected or removed, all work would be performed in areas previously disturbed, and no work would be performed in any creek or stream. The California Natural Diversity Data Base (CNDDB) was searched and habitat for the red bellied newt was identified along Gibson Creek and Orrs Creek. No work will occur within the Creeks. However, to ensure that the proposed project does not adversely affect red-bellied newts, the removal of brush and grassland and any future maintenance around the Creek areas will occur between March and October/November, or when the first significant rainfall event occurs. Work will be completed outside the nesting bird season. No other rare, threatened or endangered plant or animal species were identified that will be negatively impacted by this project.
Disclaimer: The document was originally posted before CEQAnet had the capability to host attachments for the public. To obtain the original attachments for this document, please contact the lead agency at the contact information listed above. You may also contact the OPR via email at state.clearinghouse@opr.ca.gov or via phone at (916) 445-0613.